Improvement in metallic tassels for jewelry



- W. A. STURDY. Metallic Tassels for Jewelry.

No..196,314. Patented Oct; 23,1877.

NPETERS. FHOTO-UTMOGRAPMER. IWASHINGTOIN. D C

UNITED STATES PATENT QFFIGE.

WILLIAM A. STURDY, or non'ron, MAssAoHUsnrrs.

IMPROVEMENT IN METALLIC TASSELS FOR JEWELR Y.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 196,314, dated October 23, 1877; application filed August 17,1877.

To all whom it may concern:

, strands are employed; and the object of my invention is the production of a tassel having the general characteristics of what is known as a chain-tassel, at comparatively low cost; and my said invention consists in a tassel having strands or drops composed of short lengths of looped wire, each loop having laterally-projecting ends for engaging with other loops.

Although said strands or drops can be pro vided at an exceedingly low cost, they possess, when worked into tassels, the general appearance of fox-tail chain, which is comparatively high-priced on account of the labor, skill, and machinery involved in its production.

To more particularly describe my invention I will refer to the accompanying drawings, in which v Figures 1 and 2 represent, respectively, a round and a fiat tassel embodying my invention. Fig. 3 represents a portion of a strand from a tassel, on an enlarged scale. Fig. 4 represents a piece of wire fabric from which strands may be out.

It will be seen that the several short lengths of wire a are simply bent into the form of loops, with the two ends curved outward laterally, and thatthese loops are intertwined longitudinally, so as to produce a strand having the general appearance of a chain. These strands do not possess the tensile strength of ordinary chains usually employed in this connection, although sufficiently strong for the service intended; and while they may be separately formed by machinery designed for the purpose, great practical economy is attained by the use of a well-known wire fabric, which can be purchased at low cost, in various widths and of any desirable length. A piece of this fabric is shown in Fig. 4, in which it will I be seen that the rows of loops constitute raised ribs, as at b. For making tassel-strands, this fabric is slitted carefully between these ribs, each rib, when separated, constituting a strand or drop. These strands may be attached to the head 0 in any desirable manner.

As a result of my invention, these imitations of chain-tassels may be produced at a cost which is a mere fraction of the cost of for:- tail chain-tassels, and for that reason they meet a requirement in the trade which the more expensive tassels could not possibly fill.

It is to be distinctly understood that I do not limit my invention to tassels having strands slitted from the particular fabric shown, as I am well aware that similar fabrics may be made in which ribs are formed, and which, when slitted as described, would afford strands suitable for the purpose specified; but in all such fabrics there must, of necessity, be such a looping of the short lengths of wire as to secure their unity in the strand, without forming a true chain, although possessing many of its characteristics.

I am, of coiuse, aware that tassels have heretofore been made of twisted strands of metallic lace; but it is well known that such do not possess the peculiar flexibility of chainwork which is so desirable in this connection.

Having thus described my invention, Iclaim as newand desire tosecure by Letters Patcut- A metallic tassel having strands or drops composed of short lengths of wire looped in form, and having laterally-projecting ends-for engaging with other loops, in imitation of chain-work, substantially as described.

WILLIAM A. STURDY.

Witnesses Gno. L. WETHERELL, HENRY H. KELLY. 

